Effects of kind of heavy metal and the reaction conditions on co-pyrolysis upon inhibition of chlorinated organic compounds production during co-pyrolysis of poly (vinyl chloride) with cation exchanged coal were discussed. The remained content of chlorine using copper exchanged coal was not much higher than that using metallic copper. Formation of chlorinated organic compounds was inhibited by enhancement of dissociation of metal from the cation exchanged coal during co-pyrolysis. Production of chlorinated organic compounds after co-pyrolysis of PVC with lead exchanged coal was inhibited because the amount of lead dissociated from the exchanged coal through ion exchange with H+ in water solvent during co-pyrolysis was higher than that of copper exchanged coal. In comparison with the calorific value of raw coal, those of the upgraded solid fuel resulted after co-pyrolysis increased by co-pyrolysis of cation exchanged coal and PVC. Capture of chlorine from poly (vinyl chloride) was inhibited due to formation of water insoluble salt, such as Pb(OH)(2) and CuCO3, with the increase of the amount of water solvent and holding time, respectively. Copyrolysis of poly (vinyl chloride) and lead exchanged coal with 11.1 ml of water solvent at 300 degrees C for 60 min is a most suitable condition in this study. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.